An Educated Non-Jew's Take on Israel

It is good when a non Jew (like myself) take the time out to state the facts clearly and honestly when it affects the Jews. All through the years the Jews have suffered anti semetism of every possible stripe and guess what, they have survived and will continue to survive. Kudos to you Dr. MacEoin for your openness and honesty in writing this letter and thanks to Aish for making it available.

Send it to Carter and also de United Nations and European Union, so they can tell their people in the Security Counsel of UN

Dear Administrator I realise that I should not have named our ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corp) in my earlier comment. I did see one reporter in Israel who was reporting on the release of Gilad Shalit, and the horrific crimes perpetrated on the Israeli people by the prisoners who were going to be released soon. This was the first I have seen for some time on what Hamas has been doing to Israeli citizens. Am glad it got out. My apologies for naming people Yours sincerely Susannah Garbutt

It has been politically incorrect NOT to be pro Palestinian for about 20 years now, in Australia. The media is openly biased, eg they reported when Israel killed eight Egyptian soldiers, but failed to mention that the Egyptians has killed five Israelis (only found this out some months later when the relevant sentence was included in another program). This is on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's programs, and most (but not all of us) believe that our ABC is the most reliable and accurate media form in the country. It has long mystified me why people single out Israel when it is surrounded by dictatorships and brutal regimes etc. One of our top Greens senators also singled out Israel. As this article points out, it is just another form of anti Semitism. You have to stand back and think rationally about any situation, but a lot of people don't seem interested in the truth. It is easier to believe what you are told. They don't realise that what we are told has first passed through editors and the media 'police' so what we hear and watch has come through other peoples' brains and reflects the 'wisdom' (bias) of the day. Good news does not sell. Neither, it seems, does the truth and rationality. Thank goodness this letter has been written. Shalom

Masterfully put! Thank you for having the courage and decency to confront this. But I have to wonder whether it is too much to hope that this will have its desired effect. I have confronted anti-Semitism, and it is seldom reasonable.

So eloquently put and so necessary to counter anti-Israeli propaganda. Which other country on earth has three Sabbaths, one for each of the major religions. I am not suggesting expanding the borders of Israel still further, don't get me wrong, but the surrounding Arab states could do worse than importing Israel's egalitarian and tolerant culture.

One could not speak more factually or sincerely about the pursuit of justice and education. Thank you.

Thank you for telling the truth. G-d bless you & yours

One of the most articulate and accurate letters I have ever read on the topic.

This is a well written defense of the Truth, the Factual truth, by a non-Jew. It should be required reading for media representatives, as well as University Instructors everywhere. It is distressingly sad, that this kind basic honesty lacking in our world, is rarely practiced where it is most needed - in countries and regimes where people and especially minorities, are face unspeakable oppression and tortuous dying. Only where Truth prevails, can justice be done.

I could not improve on this article.My recommendation,however is to send it to Jimmy Carter.

Non-Sottish student activists dominate the apathetic Edinburgh students who have no time for the Student Association.

This is one of the best articles I have ever read regarding Israel and the Middle East situation.........Israel the only Democratic Country in the Middle East treats all Nationalities with dignity and it is confirmed in this article....Very well written with honesty and true facts .

This is an excellent article. I have said on many occasions, in Aish, that Israel has to concentrate more upon image, especially after the Gaza incursion a couple of years ago. The media made Israel look bad. Such in turn breeds anti semetism against Jews, even the ones who do not even know about Israel. Clearly Israel is the most democraticstate in the mid-east, on an equal footing with Turkey, or possibly better.So people who single out Israel for abuse of people are rediculous as there are for worst atrocities commited by more than 50 percent of the rulers of other mid east states. Mr MacEion has ballanced the perspective very well. Concentration will now have to focus upon the comparitives rather than the absolutes.

Thank you Dr. Mac Eoin. Knowledge is the truest weapon against hatred. Your honesty and your courage to speak out against the majority are rare and exceptional.

All I can say it "wow!" Thank you to Denis MacEoin.

Unfortunately, anti-Semitism has returned full-force in the world. This time it's "Jewish nationalism"; last time it was "Jewish internationalism"; this time it is "fascism"; last time it was "communism"; this time it's because we're "dominant on Wall Street"; last time it was because we were "union organizers". Hateful people don't need an excuse or facts. They just need the hatemongers to reel them in and use them for their own malicious ends. My only response is "fight them!" everywhere, in the media, in educational institutions, where ever they raise their ugly heads. And keep Israel strong. At this point in time, our strength as a nation is the only thing between us and the next annihilation.

Thanks to Denis MacEoin for some well-written and rational thoughts concerning Israel. His challenge to his university students is applicable to all students of universities everywhere. I have encountered anti-Israel propaganda on the campuses of many colleges and universities here in the United States. It cannot go unchecked or unchallenged. It appears that the anti-Israel lobby needs no actual evidence to support wild claims and accusations against Israel. Those who support these efforts are not just blindly anti-Israel, but succumb to an ideology that is also anti-educational. I have been to Israel a number of times and have seen first hand what an amazing country it is. The claims of such organizations attempting to label the nation and people of Israel as apartheid, nazi, or worse are false and should be labeled as false by those who seek truth and love education.

Although I am not Jewish, I have had the privilege of visiting Israel twice and agree it is such a free country & has contributed to so much that we take for granted in terms of intellectual knowledge that has translated into everyday necessities for many nations. It is about time people knew the truth & not be deceived into believing such lies and to continue to perpetrate untruths against a Nation that our maker has set apart.. The Letter is excellent such an encouragement that there are still decent, articulate men & women standing for truth.

You have neglected to indicate Israeli Arabs' representation in the Israeli government.

I hope that all (even some or one member of the council) reads this article and takes the time to test its assertions against the assertions they used to base the correctness of their boycott. and the real hope is that the one or many of the enlightened members of council is brave enough to propose that the council withdraw the boycott.

BRAVO!!! Brilliant speaker for sanity to those ignorant anti-Israel attackers who want to boycott the only democracy in the Middle East. Expressed with actual facts by this non-Jewish Middle East authority. These ignorant Scotch students should go to Israel and see how 100% wrong the anti- Israel propaganda is that they have been fed.

Of all the various variations of spreading falsehood, religion stands well above all others. Jews have been maligned by both Muslims and Christians. The latter do have many sane thinking honest evaluators of the so-called Israeli-Palestinian problem. Unfortunately, among the Muslims, very few honest analysts exist. A geo-politically expansionist idealogy, posing as a religion called Islam is the core of international Israel bashing. Being the fewest in numbers, Jews attract anti-semitism from interantional bullys now spearheaded by Muslim countries. Once they acheive their unholy goal, rest assured the rest of the free world would be actively in their sights. Already, through simple population relocation, Muslims are increasingly dominating Europe. Soon, with their ever increasing populations, weather by breeding or mass immigration, Muslims will outnumber the native European populations. And long before that, Sharia will be the common law.

Not only migration from Darfur, but from just about every country in Africa with massive slaughter and civil wars, from Somalia to the Sudan, African Muslims manage to penetrate the porous southern border of Egypt, cross to the Sinai, pay exhorbitant amounts, and suffer tremenduous hardship in the hand of the Bedouins, who exployt them, while helping to escape to Israel. The reason people put themselves in such endangerement, is even if they end up in prison in Israel, as illegal imigants, their lot is better off than among their Muslim brethren anywhere in Africa. Marc Mansour

I have seen this article elsewhere and have kept a record of the same to pass on to friends. What a brilliant defense it makes for the State of Israel. As a Christian I am fully with you Israel !

Elohim emet! As someone who has visited Israel more than ten times, I am glad to read some truth about the nation that has opened one eyes to know how Elohim deals with people. Without Israel, there would be no meaning to our life, time spans etc. May Elohim bless all those who bless Eret Israel.

reading that excellent letter raises the hope that truth and common sense will prevail upon hatered and bigotery.thank you.

This article speaks TRUTH! I am a Christian who has spent many months in Israel and I KNOW this to be TRUTH!

If you have children, grandchildren, friends who are attending a college, I would suggest you send them this e-mail and suggest to them that they try get it published in their college newspaper. I have always maintained that news about Israel, put out by certain unscrupulous Media, has brainwashed many students and the general public as well. It would be nice if the NYT would publish these comments. Today on many college campuses there is an all out pro Arab student war to demonize Israel. The Israeli government has to be more pro active, set aside a budget, and use comments like this to continually and actively Fight Back the lies that are being propagated. The Arab propaganda machine is continuous and I'm sure very well funded.

Israel Detractor and other Enemies MUST use Lies, everywhere they can, because there is No Truth anywhere, to support their assertions and damnable activities ... It has always been that way, and apparently, is going to remain that way unless we stand up and DO what needs done .......

What a lecture! thank you soo much, hope my lord bless always the author of this amazing information. I wish that respectfull Desmond Tutu take a few minutes to read this article, becouse once he said that in Israel there is apartheid; I think this is a great opportunity for him to get some knoledge. Thanks once again!

Excellent article but a few questions. I am a Jew but have never been to Israel, my husband is a Holocaust survivor.We are both elderly.We watch the newsas Israeli soldiers smash homes of Palestinians in retaliation. If innocent this is not humane. The Israeli's occupy Palestinian area's, building new settltments. Surrounded with huge walls. Many cannot get to work or live in peace is certainly not a free people.I want ISRAEL as a homeland for all Jews.I support ISRAEL. Help me to understand!

Anne - you are seeing exactly what the media wants you to, don't you see? I live in Israel - I dont' know it "from the news". Everything is exactly as the professor said - and more. Jews and Arabs are treated exactly alike. I recently had a baby in the hospital and spent the few days with other Arab mothers recuperating just like me. Same service to all of us, same treatment - the nurses were kind to all. (I won't even bother mentioning that for a Jewess to give birth in an ARAB hospital would be suicidal - isn't it sad how we have to argue FACTS? We have to argue about Arabs being treated WITH A SMILE AND EQUAL TREATMENT at our hospitals - when no Arab hospital will ever dream of offering a Jew any sort of help - a Jew stepping into any Arab country, or any Arab town in Israel - will be lynched as the mob raises their hands covered in blood to cheer!! Hello??? Where is the world??????) What you are seeing is Israel's 'punishment' of TERRORISTS!! Of COURSE we put walls - Israel is not nearly as restrictive as it should be with regards to our killers. If you knew someone was coming with a bomb to blow YOU and your children up - wouldnt' you lock the door?? EVEN if the murderer really, really wants to get in?? And "smashing" homes - what a poor punishment for murderers - don't you think? Which sane country would retaliate for murder by breaking only the home?! There are so many facts - the problem isnt' getting the facts - it's WANTING to. If you truly want to learn about Israel and if you truly want to understand - go to www.HonestReporting.com. Read the articles here on Aish. READ unbiased media - get your facts and you'll have no questions anymore. It isn't a matter of opinions here or there - for anyone really interested in the truth, all they need to do is get the basic facts, and then, as the professor said, do their thinking for themselves... it isn't hard. It just means being educated and not allowing yourself to be fed only by anti-Israel media.

WHAT A WELL WRITTEN ARGUMENT. WELL DONE! WE NEED MORE TRUE ARTICLES OF THIS KIND, TO PROTECT ISRAEL, THE ONLY JEWISH STATE ON THIS PLANET! LET PROFESSORS AND EDUCATED (CAMBRIDGE / OXFORD, ETC.) MEN / WOMEN ALIKE TO TEACH THEIR STUDENTS A NON-BIAS ARGUMENTS AND DEBATES, BUT, ABOVE ALL THE TRUTH OF ANY ARGUMENT.

It is troubling that even as we have grown exponentially in the information technology and the sciences, we have not grown fast enough to catch up with making ourselves better informed. The pitfall of taking in a blatantly selective and prejudiced presentation of otherwise unverified and unproven accusations against a nation or its people as a basis of judgement, just do not sit well for any university that is supposed to expand and liberate the minds of its students from the curse of ignorance. On the other hand it is encouraging that the same tools (IT) are used by students and young people around the world to organize and effectively challenge systems in their societies that are working against the common good or the greater good. If truth is of premium value to anyone, we certainly have the resources to get the facts right.

Thank you, Sir, for recognizing the truth about Israel and the world-wide anti-semitism which now threatens not only Jews but all who are not Muslim terrorists. It is amazing to me that the world has not learned from the Holocaust that,once the Jews are dead, these terrorists will go after ALL others who are not like them! Please speak out...more!

I hope these students listen, and hear what their Professor is saying, because it's really shocking that students would do this, and it is beyond a form of ignorance, because it is cruel, to take what is truly beautiful about the Israelis, and how they treat other religious groups, and then make egregious comparisons to the Nazis and a time of infamy in history whose lessons, clearly, remain unlearned.

Excellent. It is unfortunate, Israel is the easy target for our.... "open minded, liberal pundits". Everybody has rights but Israel. Full scottish, in america since the 1760's, will always be a devoted FRIEND of Israel.

Bravo to Dr.Denis MacEoin for stating the facts so clearly that they can not be misunderstood. The Jewish people have been scape goats for Centuries. Thank you for that wonderful letter to your students. It is sad that antisemitism is once again on the rise.

Well stated, professor. Well done Aish.com, you have managed to express truth that the mainstream media will not publish or express to the general public. I hope the students at Edinburgh are still able to read and understand.

Pity about the internet - easy access but not always access to TRUE facts. Why don't the students take a gap year in Israel if they really want to know the truth

But how can you ensure that your students read this article? Someone who is biased just doesn't want to know about the other side of the picture.

What more can ones say: you put it so well. The challenge, these days, is not to attack Israel but to defend it and its democracy. What a shame!

Thank you, Dr. Denis Mac Eoin. You hammered sense into those whose thinking are "off-tangent." Long live Israel!

Peaceful protesting in the Middle East is how the authorities find out who to whisk away in the middle of the night. Stop being dumb. Begin the assassinations. I want a report on my desk by the end of the week. God speed.

How refreshing in these troublesome times to hear a balanced thinker and a just explanation. Israel, your God has not forgotten you. You will arise to be the people whom through, God will Bless every nation, your day is very near, you will witness your God destroy your enemies, you will experience men from other nations grabbing hold of you and saying, "We know God is with you, let us go up to Jerusalem and worship Him where He has placed His Name. This generation will see these things. God Bless Israel. Amen & Amen.

to read absolutely

It is truely sad when a professor notes the inability or unwillingness of his students to use their brains and supposed 'analytic skills'. The generation of spoon-fed media (brainwashing?) needs to search out the facts. I am sure the professor is shaking his head in disgust as the goal of 'university thinking' is far from being met. I agree that this letter should be circulated far and wide, however, the anti-semitic press will somehow spike its publication.

Is is clear tht the opinions of the vote was without any seriuos research but based on the bios that exist because of a generalized antisemitic tendency without real analisis of the subject. Shame on you. I commend Mr. Denis MacEoin for his impartial opinio expressed.

Well done Dr. MacEoin. It is so refreshing to read some sense based on real evidence. It is time that Truth should be shouted out from the rooftops to counteract all the lies that float around about the State of Israel. People/students should only have opinions if based on solid researched evidence and yes the world will be a sad one when people (especially educated ones)just follow whatever is shouted loudest whether true or not!!!

My grandson, has a Christian dad and goes to a predominantly gentile college, needs to read this. Simple and informative. He considers himself Jewish, but knows very little about the religion.

Barbara dear - your grandson does not only 'consider' himself Jewish - if his mother is Jewish, then by Jewish law he IS 100% Jewish. According to Jewish law it is the mother's Judaism that determines her children's, and there's no 50% or "partly" Jewish. And yes, it is important that he read this - and his friends - we need this circulating in all college campuses...

It is a sad day when we have to be grateful for the truth. How to spread this message to a non-captive audience? I wish I could print this article on page 1 of the New York Times, and other publications of this "ilk"

The article is eloquently and passionately put and I embrace the writer even more so because he is not a Jew. His qualifications lend credibility to what is constantly denied by all the misinformed, brainwashed pro-Palestinian Jew-haters in the world. If only there was a way to get it out there to the people! .. It saddens and sickens me to see so much ignorance everywhere .. even intelligent people I work with in an enlightened country like Australia, have no idea of creeping Sharia, no idea of jihad, it shocks me to realise that they believe Islam is a religion the same as Christianity and don't realise it is a political idealogy that is intent on the destruction of the world as we know it. Violence against women in moslem countries is on the rise - in Pakistan it's estimated that 90% of the women have been violated in some way or another - not to mention what's going on not only in the middle east but most of Africa. This appears to be a secondary impact of 9/11 - Islam gone wild and Islamic men gone wilder. It's time the western world woke up to the truth - leave Israel to her business and get on with cleaning up the rest of the world. The nonsense has gone on for far too long!

Haters with their hearts will never want to see the truth, but may this letter gives light to those who were misguided!

Yes, just the facts mam'. Israel is one of the few places where protest is protected. I've been there too, and believe there's n o way the Israeli Palestinians, although they have local complaints, would ever join a Palestinian state. There of course are many reasons, some of which you mentioned.

Thank you for being you...

Being from the UK I have experienced the anti-israel trend first-hand. Nice to see a voice of reason amongst a growing number of misinformed young people.

Did they listen?

Thanks to Denis Mac Eoin letter. Contra measures .to reinforce "Hasbara" and to show who are a big liars.

Thank you for speaking up. I'm not sure I would qualify this as pro Israel but as pro facts/reality.

kol hakavod. its rare to find a non jew who is so articulate in his pro israel views

Offensive and inappropriate to whom? Justice and fair play is 'offensive' and 'inapropriate' to the wrong doer. I am not surprised at your not daring to print my comments, they will be most demoralizing to the Jews who are history's worst wrongdoers by what they have perpetrated on the Palestinians. Whatever worldly sympathy the Jews gained through Nazis treatment of them is no more.The Jews actions towards the Palestinians have shown them to be the post war Nazis, if not worse. My comments are widely circulated and read through other media.

your comments are not surprising in the least. you are like the little kid in the playground who when presented with facts has no defense left but to start namecalling. no facts to argue back with, what a sad and pathetic attempt to make a legitimate comment.